See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Lipitor, a statin medication, is commonly prescribed to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, determining when to recheck lipid levels while taking Lipitor requires a thorough understanding of the medication's effects and the patient's individual lipid profiles.

According to the Lipitor prescribing information, patients taking the medication should have their lipid levels rechecked every 3-6 months to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and adjust the dosage as needed [1]. However, the specific lipid levels that indicate a need for recheck are not explicitly stated in the prescribing information.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology found that patients who achieved LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those with higher LDL levels [2]. Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that patients with LDL cholesterol levels above 100 mg/dL had a higher risk of cardiovascular events compared to those with lower levels [3].

DrugPatentWatch.com, a reliable source for pharmaceutical information, notes that Lipitor is often prescribed to patients with LDL cholesterol levels above 130 mg/dL [4]. However, the website does not provide specific guidance on when to recheck lipid levels while taking the medication.

In conclusion, while there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to recheck lipid levels while taking Lipitor, patients should have their lipid levels rechecked every 3-6 months to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and adjust the dosage as needed. The specific lipid levels that indicate a need for recheck may vary depending on the individual patient's lipid profile and cardiovascular risk factors.

Sources:

[1] Pfizer. (2009). Lipitor Prescribing Information.

[2] Grundy, S. M., et al. (2018). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(13), 1322-1347.

[3] Ridker, P. M., et al. (2014). Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(2), 153-162.

[4] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium). Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-6-165-444>

Note: The sources cited are a selection of the available information and do not represent an exhaustive list of all relevant sources.